ESPE Abstracts

Background: Short stature is clearly not a disease, but is commonly perceived to be associated with social and psychological disadvantage.

Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate the psychological changes in children with short stature after growth hormone therapy.

Method: One hundred and thirty children aged 6–14 years old were diagnosed as short stature (ISS and GHD). And they were divided into intervention group (55 children) and control group (75 children). Children in intervention group were given GH therapy (0.15–0.20 IU/kg.d); kids in control group were followed up for 6 months. Psychological functions were tested in intervention group at baseline, reassessed after 6 months of GH therapy. Psychological functions examinations were tested by Zung Depression Inventory.

Results: Six months of GH therapy in patients significantly improved psychological status. Slight depression decreased, as well as intensity of interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, paranoid ideation and anxiety.

Conclusion: Our preliminary data support the necessity of conducting GH therapy induced reduction of depression, intensity of interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, paranoid ideation and anxiety.